Real Estate Terms Glossary

401(k) plans

Financial plans that allow employees to set aside tax-deferred income for retirement or emergency purposes.

Abstract of judgment,law

The summary of a court judgment that creates a lien against a property when filed with the county recorder.

Accelerated cost recovery system

A tax calculation that provides greater depreciation in the early years of ownership of real estate or personal property.

Acceleration clause

A provision that gives a lender the right to collect the balance of a loan if a borrower misses a payment.

Accelerated depreciation

A bookkeeping method that depreciates property faster in the early years of ownership.

Acceptance

The seller's written approval of a buyer's offer.

Access

Any means by which a person can enter property.

Accessibility

The degree to which a building or site allows access to people with disabilities.

Accretion

The gradual addition to the shore or bank of a waterway by deposits of sand or silt.

Acknowledgment

A written declaration affirming that a person acted voluntarily.

Acre

A measurement of land equal to 43,560 square feet.

Acre foot

The volume of material needed to cover an acre of land one foot deep.

Active solar system

A system that utilizes electric pumps or fans to transfer solar energy for storage or direct use.

Actual age

The number of years a structure has been standing.

Addendum

An addition or change to a contract.

Additional principal payment

Extra money included in the monthly payment to help reduce the principal and shorten the term of the loan.

Add-on interest

The interest a borrower pays on the principal for the duration of the loan.

Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)

A loan with an interest rate that is periodically adjusted to reflect changes in a specified financial index.

Adjusted cost basis

The cost of any improvements the seller makes to the property. Deducting the cost from the original sales price provides the profit or loss of a home when it is sold.

Adjustment period

The amount of time between interest rate adjustments in an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Administrator

A person given authority to manage and distribute the estate of someone who died without leaving a will.

Administrator's deed

A legal document that an administrator of an estate uses to transfer property.

Adverse possession

The acquisition of title to property through possession without the owner's consent for a certain period of time.

Adverse use

The access and use of property without the owner's consent.

Aeolian soil

Soil that is composed of materials deposited by the wind.

Affiant

A person who makes a sworn statement.

Affirmation

A substitution for an oath granted to people based on religious reasons.

A-frame design

An interior style that features a steeply peaked roofline and a ceiling that is open to the top rafters.

Agency

The relationship of trust that exists between sellers and buyers and their agents. The agency is formed through a written contract.

Alternative mortgage

Any home loan that does not conform to a standard fixed-rate mortgage.

Aluminum-clad windows

Wooden windows with aluminum covering the exterior.

Aluminum siding

A metal covering that provides an alternative to paint for owners of wood homes.

Amenities

Parks, swimming pools, health-club facilities, party rooms, bike paths, community centers and other enticements offered by builders of planned developments.

American Society of Home Inspectors

The American Society of Home Inspectors is a professional association of independent home inspectors. Phone: (800) 743-2744.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A law passed in 1990 that outlaws discrimination against a person with a disability in housing, public accommodations, employment, government services, transportation and telecommunications.

Amortization

The process of paying the principal and interest on a loan through regularly scheduled installments.

Amortization tables

Mathematical tables that lenders use to calculate a borrower's monthly payment.

Amperage

The strength of an electrical current.

Anchor bolt

A large steel bolt anchored in concrete and attached to a building to prevent the structure from moving.

Annual

Any kind of plant that must be planted every year.

Annual mortgagor statement

A yearly statement to borrowers that details the remaining principal and amounts paid for taxes and interest.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The cost of the loan expressed as a yearly rate on the balance of the loan.

Annuity

The payment of a fixed sum to an investor at regular intervals.

Anticipatory breach

A communication that informs a party that the obligations of the original contract will not be fulfilled.

Application

A document that details a potential borrower's income, debt and other obligations to determine credit worthiness.

Application fee

The fee that a lender charges to process a loan application.

Appraisal

An opinion of the value of a property at a given point in time.

Appraisal fee

The fee that an appraiser charges to estimate the market value of the property.

Appraisal report

A detailed written report on the value of a property based on recent sales of comparable sites in the area.

Appraised value

An opinion of the current market value of a property.

Appreciation

An increase in the value of a home or other property..

Assumption clause

A provision that allows a buyer to take responsibility for the mortgage from a seller.

Assumption fee

A fee the lender charges to process new records for a buyer who assumes an existing loan.

Average price

The price of a home determined by totaling the sales prices of all houses sold in an area and dividing that number by the number of homes.

Avigation easement

An easement over private property near an airport that limits the height of structures and trees.

Awning windows

Single-sash windows that tilt outward and up.

Back fill

Soil used to solidify the foundation of a structure.

Back title letter

A letter that a title insurance company gives to an attorney who then examines the title for insurance purposes.

Back-to-back escrow

Arrangements that an owner makes to oversee the sale of one property and the purchase of another at the same time.

Backup offer

A secondary bid for a property that the seller will accept if the first offer fails.

Backwater valve

A valve in a sewer line that prevents sewage from flowing back into a house.

Balance sheet

A statement that shows the assets, liabilities and net worth of an individual.

Balloon-frame construction

A type of framing used in two-story homes in which studs extend from the ground to the ceiling of the second floor.

Balloon loan

A mortgage in which monthly installments are not large enough to repay the loan by the end of the term. As a result, the final payment due is the lump sum of the remaining principal.

Balloon payment

The final lump sum payment due at the end of a balloon mortgage.

Balustrade

Railing held up by a set of posts on a porch or stairway.

Bankruptcy

A proceeding in which an insolvent debtor can obtain relief from payment of certain obligations. Bankruptcies remain on a credit record for seven years and can severely limit a person's ability to borrow.

Bargain sale

The sale of a piece of property for less than market value.

Baseboard

Any board or molding found at the bottom of an interior wall.

Baseboard electric heat

Heating units installed in the floor that can be controlled by a central thermostat.

Basement

The area of a home below ground level.

Basis Point

A basis point is one one-hundredth of one percentage point. For example, the difference between a loan at 8.25 percent and a mortgage at 8.37 percent is 12 basis points.

Bay

The opening between two columns or walls that forms a space.

Bay window

A window that projects outward in a curve.

Bearing wall

A wall that supports its own weight in addition to other parts of a structure.

Beneficiary

The lender who makes a loan, also called a mortgagee. The person borrowing money is the mortgagor.

Before-tax income

Total income before taxes are deducted.

Bequest

Personal property given to a person through a will.

Betterment

An improvement that increases a property's value as opposed to repairs that maintain the value.

Bidding war

Offers from multiple buyers for a piece of property. Agents also sometimes compete to list a house for sale.

Bilateral contract

A contract in which the parties involved give mutual promises. Also called "reciprocal" contracts.

Bill of sale

A document that transfers ownership of personal property.

Breezeway

A roofed passageway with open sides.

Buyer's remorse

An emotion felt by first-time homebuyers after signing a sales contract or closing the purchase of a house.

Bylaws

The rules and regulations that a homeowners association or corporation adopts to govern activities.

Call option

A clause in a loan agreement that allows a lender to ask for the balance at any time.

Can lights

Cylindrical chambers with bulbs recessed into the ceiling.

Cancellation clause

A clause that details the conditions under which each party may terminate the agreement.

Cantilever

A projecting structure supported on one end, such as a balcony.

Cap

A limit on the amount the interest rate or monthly payment can increase in an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Cape Cod style

A wood-frame or shingled house with a steep roof and several windows projecting from the second floor.

Capital

Money used to create income, such as funds invested in rental property.

Capital expenditure

The cost of making improvements on a property.

Capital gains

Profits an investor makes from the sale of real estate or investments.

Capital gains tax

A tax placed on the profits from the sale of real estate or investments.

Capital improvement

Any improvement that extends the life or increases the value of a piece of property.

Capitalization

A mathematical formula that investors use to compute the value of a property based on net income.

Capitalization rate

The percentage rate of return estimated from the net income of a piece of property.

Caravan

A group of real estate agents who tour a house that has been recently listed for sale.

Carport

A roof that covers a driveway or other parking area.

Casement window

A window hinged on its sides to allow it to swing open vertically.

Cash flow

The amount of cash a rental property investor receives after deducting operating expenses and loan payments from gross income.

Cashier's check

A check the bank draws on itself rather than on a depositor's account.

Cash-out refinance

The refinancing of a mortgage in which the money received from the new loan is greater than the amount due on the old loan. The borrower can use the extra funds in any manner.

Cathedral ceiling

A high open ceiling formed by finishing exposed roof rafters.

Caulk

An acrylic or silicon sealant used to fill cracks, crevices and holes in a home.

Cavedium

A courtyard or atrium.

Caveat

A formal notice, that asks a court to suspend action until the party which filed the challenge can be heard.

Caveat emptor

A legal principle derived from Latin than means "let the buyer beware."

Ceiling height

The standard height of a ceiling is eight feet.

Central air conditioning

A device that generates cold air through an outside unit that is connected to ductwork inside the house.

Central business district

The area of a city where most large businesses are located.

Comparables

Properties used as comparisons to determine the value of a certain property.

Comparative market analysis

An estimate of the value of a property based on an analysis of sales of properties with similar characteristics.

Competent

A term for a buyer who is legally fit to enter into a sales contract.

Compound interest

The interest paid on the principal balance in a mortgage and on the accrued and unpaid interest of the loan.

Concrete tilt-up

The process of pouring concrete into forms on the ground, allowing the forms to harden and then raising the material to a vertical position to form walls.

Condemnation

The process the government uses to take private property for public use without the consent of the owner.

Custom home

A structure designed by an architect hired by the owner.

Damper

A movable plate in a fireplace that allows smoke and fumes to travel up the chimney's flue.

Days on the market

The period of time a property is listed for sale until it is sold or taken off the market

Deadbolt lock

Locks that require a key to open from the outside and a turn button from the inside.

Debt

Any amount one person owes to another.

Deck

A roofless, floored area that adjoins a house.

Deed

The legal document that transfers ownership of a piece of property.

Deed of trust

A document that gives a lender the right to foreclose on a piece of property if the borrower defaults on the loan.

Deep-seal floor drain

A drain used to dispose of water from the basement floor to a sewer line.

Default

The failure to fulfill a duty or promise or discharge an obligation, such as making monthly mortgage payments.

Deferred maintenance

Any repair or maintenance of a piece of property that has been postponed, resulting in a decline in property value.

Delinquent mortgage

A mortgage that involves a borrower who is behind on payments. If the borrower cannot bring the payments up to date within a specified number of days, the lender may begin foreclosure proceedings.

Density test

An analysis of soil to determine if the surface can support the foundation of a house.

Duct

Any kind of pipe or channel that carries water, wiring or conditioned air through a house.

Due-on-sale clause

Standard language in a mortgage which states that the loan must be paid when a house is sold.

Duplex

A structure that consists of two separate family units.

Dutch colonial style

A design that features barn-like gambrel roof, a ground-level front porch, and dormers.

Early occupancy

The condition in which buyers can occupy the property before the sale is completed.

Earnest money

Money a buyer gives with an offer to purchase a property. Also called a deposit.

Earthquake insurance

A policy that provides coverage against damage to a home from an earthquake.

Easement

A right given to a third party to use a portion of the property for certain purposes, such as power lines or water mains.

Eaves

The projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.

Effective age

The age of a structure estimated by its condition rather than its actual age.

Effective gross income

Additional income that a lender considers when assessing the loan application of a potential borrower.

Electric service panel

A panel that transfers power from the utility line into a house to be distributed through fuses or circuit breakers.

Elevations

The exterior view of a home design that shows the position of the house relative to the grade of the land.

Ell

An extension or wing of a house that is at right angles to the main structure.

Eminent domain

The government's right to condemn private land for public use, such as the routing of a public highway.

Employer-assisted housing

Programs which help employees purchase homes through special plans developed with lenders.

Empty nesters

Potential buyers who have raised their families and want to move into a smaller home.

Encroachment

Fences or other structures that extend into the property of another owner.

Encumbrance

A claim or lien on a property which complicates the title process.

End loan

The conversion from a construction loan to permanent financing a condominium buyer secures after all units in a project have been completed.

Endorser

A person who signs over ownership of property to another party.

Exclusive listing

A contract that gives an agent the exclusive right to market a property for a specific period of time.

Executor

A person appointed to carry out the instructions in a will. If there is no will, a probate court will appoint an executor.

Exhaust fan

Ventilating devices that remove water vapor, undesired smells or smoke.

Facade

Fair Credit Billing Act

A federal law that governs credit and charge card billing errors. If a credit or charge card company violates any provision, consumers can sue to recover damages.

Fair Credit Reporting Act.

A federal law passed in 1971 that regulates the activity of credit bureaus. It is designed to prevent inaccurate or obsolete information from staying in a consumer's credit file and requires credit bureaus to have reasonable procedures for gathering, maintaining and disseminating credit information. The act also requires credit bureaus to show a consumer their credit file if the consumer presents proper identification, although the bureau reserves the right to charge a fee for doing so.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

A federal law passed in 1977 which outlaws debtor harassment and other types of collection practices. The act regulates collection agencies, original creditors who set up a separate office to collect debts, and lawyers hired by the creditor to help collect overdue bills. An original creditor--the company or individual that originally granted the credit--is not covered by the act, but may be covered by similar measures approved by state governments.

Fair Housing Act

Landmark federal law passed in 1965 and amended in 1988 that makes it illegal to deny rent or refuse to sell to anyone based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The 1988 amendment expanded the protections to include family status and disability.

Fannie Mae

The official name of the Federal National Mortgage Association, it is a congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned company that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.

Farmer's Home Administration

A U.S. Department of Agriculture agency that provides credit to farmers and rural residents.

Fascia

A board that connects the ends of the roof rafters and provides a surface to support gutters.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,law

The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Freddie Mac. The company buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and then sells shares to investors.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

This government agency operates a variety of home-loan programs. Its most popular is the Sec. 203(b), program, which provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent.

Federal National Mortgage Association

Now officially dubbed Fannie Mae, this federally chartered agency buys mortgages from lending institutions, pools them with other loans and sells shares to investors.

Federal Reserve Board

A group of economists and other experts who set the nation's monetary policy. Its chief tool to control inflation is the power to control interest rates.

Federal Trade Commission

The government agency responsible for regulating a variety of companies and industries, from credit bureaus and collection agencies to timeshare operators and certain types of creditors. National headquarters: Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580. Phone: (202) 326-2222.

Fee simple

This type of ownership is the maximum interest a person can have in a piece of real estate. It entitles the owner to use the property in any manner they see fit, in accordance with state and local laws.

Fee simple defeasible

The owner of the property holds a fee simple title contingent upon certain conditions.

Federal style

The all-American home architecture style that evolved after the Revolutionary War. Details include bigger windows and a front doorway surrounded by glass and topped with an arched window.

FHA loans

Mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA's 203(b) loan program provides low-rate mortgages to buyers who make a down payment as small as 3 percent. The agency also operates loan plans for investors and purchasers of rural property.

Feng shui

An ancient Chinese belief that the physical characteristics of a house and the positioning of the home will affect the fortunes of the owner.

Fiduciary duty

The relationship of trust that buyers and sellers expect from a real estate agent. The term also applies to legal and business relationships.

Field changes

Modifications made on the construction site that do not match blueprints.

Fill dirt

Soil brought in to solidify a finished foundation.

Filled land

An area where the ground has been raised by adding dirt, gravel or other fill material.

Finder's fee

A fee in any amount that is paid to someone.

Finish grade

A finish that prepares a lot for landscaping.

Fire wall

A buffer composed of fire-resistant material.

Firm commitment

A promise made by a lender when it agrees to loan money for the purchase of property.

First mortgage

The primary mortgage on a property that has priority over all other voluntary liens.

Fixed installment

The monthly payment on a home loan.

Fixed-rate mortgage

A home loan with an interest rate that will remain at a specific rate for the term of the loan. About 75 percent of all home mortgages have fixed rates.

Furnace

Fuse

Gable

A triangular wall enclosed by the sloping ends of a ridged roof or a triangular decorative feature.

Gable roof

A ridged roof that forms a triangle at each end.

Gag rules

A provision in contracts signed by new buyers that prohibits the owners from publicizing complaints about the builder.

Gambrel roof

A roof with two slopes, often seen on barns.

General contractor

The person who hires all of the subcontractors and suppliers for a project.

General plan

A government's long-range land-use plan.

Georgian style

Popular throughout the 18th century, this type of architecture is distinguished by a symmetrical facade, prominent front entrance and quoins-decorative blocks of masonry or wood set in the corners of the house.

Geodesic dome

A structure constructed of lightweight bars forming a grid of polygons.

Gift

A cash gift a buyer receives from a relative or other source. Lenders usually require a "gift letter" stating that the money will not have to be repaid.

Gingerbread decoration

An intricate, almost lacy, wood trim.

Girders

Crossbeams that support floor joists.

Good-faith estimate

An estimate from an institutional lender that shows the costs a borrower will incur, including loan-processing charges and inspection fees.

Government National Mortgage Association

Commonly known as Ginnie Mae, this agency buys home loans from lenders, pools them with other loans and sells shares to investors. Ginnie Mae differs from its cousins, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in that it only purchases loans backed by the federal government.

Grace period

A specified amount of time to make a loan payment after its due date without penalty.

Grade

The elevation of land above level ground.

Graduated-payment mortgage (GPM)

A mortgage that requires a borrower to make larger monthly payments over the term of the loan. The payment is unusually low for the first few years but gradually rises until year three or five, then remains fixed.

Grade level

The flat or sloping surface upon which a house is built.

Granny flat

Slang term for a separate unit in a house or above the garage, which in the past may have been occupied by an elderly relative.

Grantee

A person conveyed an interest in a piece of property.

Grantor

The person who conveys an interest in a piece of property to another person.

Greek Revival style

A style introduced in the U.S. at the end of the 18th century. Its most prominent feature is a pillar-anchored pediment forming a portico in the front of the house.

Greenbelt

Any stretch of park, open space or other natural setting in a community.

Gross income

The total income of a household before taxes or expenses are subtracted.

Ground fault circuit interrupter

Devices that detect leakage of electrical current to the ground and prevent accidental shock.

Ground rent

The amount of money paid for the use of a piece of property when it is a leasehold estate.

Group home

A single-family residence used as a living space for unrelated, developmentally disabled or mentally disabled people.

Growing-equity mortgage

A fixed rate mortgage that increases payments over a specific period of time. The extra funds are applied to the principal.

Guarantee mortgage

A loan guaranteed by a third party, such as a government institution.

Gutters

Horizontal channels installed at the edge of a roof to carry rainwater or melted snow away from the house.

Half-bath

Also called a powder room, a half-bath contains a toilet and a sink but no bathtub or shower stall.

Hazard insurance

This provision of homeowners insurance covers damage by fire, wind or other disaster. It is required by all lenders before a loan is approved.

Header

Crossbeams above windows and doors.

Heat pump

An electric cooling and heating system.

Hectare

The equivalent of 2.471 acres.

High density

The concentration of housing units in a specific area or on a specific property.

High-rise

Any building higher than six stories.

Hip roof

A pitched roof with sloping sides.

Historic preservation

The physical rehabilitation of a historic home or building, and the movement of the same name begun in the 1960s in the U.S. to preserve and protect landmarks and urban neighborhoods.

Historic structure

A home or building listed in the National Register of Historic Places and certified as historic by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Home equity conversion mortgage

Loans made to older owners who want to convert equity into money. Because borrowers are qualified on the basis of the value of their home, e, the loan is not the same as a home equity loan. Also known as reverse mortgages.

Home equity loan

A loan that allows owners to borrow against the equity in their homes.

Home inspection

An examination of a home's construction, condition and internal systems by an inspector or contractor prior to purchase.

Homeowners' association

A group that governs a modern subdivision or planned community. An association collects monthly fees from all owners to pay for maintenance of common areas, handle legal and safety issues, and enforce the covenants, conditions and restrictions set by the developer.

Homeowners' insurance

This insurance includes hazard coverage for any damages that may affect the value of a house, in addition to personal liability and theft coverage.

Homeowners' warranty

Special insurance policies that cover certain home repairs for a specified amount of time.

Home rule

The power of a local government to adopt its own land-use regulations.

Homesteading

A document that to protects some of a home's equity from lawsuits.

Home warranty

A type of insurance that covers repairs to certain parts of a house and some fixtures.

Hopper window

A window that contains a single sash that tilts inward.

Hose bibb

A threaded faucet connection for devices such as a washing machine.

Housing discrimination

The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to buy or rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or family status.

Housing expense ratio

The percentage of gross monthly income devoted to housing costs.

House wrap

A polyethylene barrier wrapped around a house to save energy.

HUD-1 Uniform Settlement Statement

A closing statement or settlement sheet that outlines all closing costs on a real estate transaction or refinancing.

Impact fees

Fees collected from developers of new homes to pay for schools, parks and other facilities.

Implied warranty of habitability

Court cases which determined that all new homes are assumed to be fit for human habitation and meet all building codes.

Impounds

A portion of the monthly mortgage payment that is placed in an account and used to pay for hazard insurance, property taxes and private mortgage insurance.

Income property

Property that is not occupied by the owner but is used to generate income.

Incurable defect

A defect in a property that cannot be fixed, such as an adjacent hazardous waste site, or that would cost too much to repair relative to the value of the property.

Index

Financial tables used by lenders to calculate interest rates on adjustable mortgages and on Treasury bills.

Individual Retirement Account

Tax-deferred savings accounts that allow people to accrue retirement funds.

In-file credit report

Computer-generated reports drawn from credit repositories that are generally regarded as objective histories.

Infill development

Any significant new construction in an established area.

Infill housing

Home construction in established areas.

Inflation

This event occurs when there is more money available than there are goods and services to be purchased. Mortgage rates, which are determined by the marketplace and the actions of the Federal Reserve Board and Wall Street, are sensitive to inflation fears.

Infrastructure

The roads, schools, parks, utilities, bridges and communications systems in a community.

Insulation

Insurable title

Title to property that a company agrees to insure against defects and disputes.

Insurance

Owners and buyers can purchase various types of insurance: hazard, private mortgage and earthquake. The policies guarantee compensation for specific losses.

Insurance binder

A temporary insurance arrangement usually put in force until a permanent policy can be obtained.

Interest

The fee borrowers pay to obtain a loan. It is calculated based on a percentage of the total loan.

Interest accrual rate

The rate at which interest accrues on a mortgage.

Interest-only loan

The pays only the interest that accrues on the loan balance each month. Because each payment goes toward interest, the outstanding balance of the loan does not decline with each payment.

Interest rate

The sum, expressed as a percentage, charged for a loan. Interest payments on most home loans are tax- deductible.

Interest rate buy-down plans

For cash-short buyers, some sellers are willing to advance funds from the sale of the home to buy down the interest rate and reduce the buyer's monthly obligation.

Interest rate caps

A limit on the amount that can be charged to the monthly payment of an adjustable-rate mortgage during an adjustment period.

Interest rate ceiling

The highest interest a lender can charge for an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Investment property

Real estate that generates income, such as an apartment building or a rental house.

Jalousie window

A window that consists of vertical rows of horizontal glass slats that operate together by a crank mechanism that connects all the slats.

Joint liability

The responsibility of two or more people to fulfill the terms of a home loan or debt.

Joint tenancy

Ownership by two or more people that gives equal shares of a piece of property. Rights pass to the surviving owner or owners.

Joist

A floor or ceiling support member supported by foundation walls, piers or beams. Subflooring is connected to floor joists.

Judgment

The decision of a court or law. If a court decides that a person must repay a debt, a lien may be placed against that person's property.

Judicial foreclosure

A procedure to handle foreclosure proceedings as civil matters.

Jumbo mortgage

Loans that exceed limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The current limit is $300,700.

Junior mortgage

A loan that subordinate to the primary loan.

Kit home

A structure that contains prefabricated components and is put together by a contractor.

Knee wall

A wall-like structure that supports roof rafters.

Knob-and-tube wiring

An old-fashioned wiring system that has been replaced by fuses and circuit breakers.

Landscape

A home's surroundings can range from a shrub-studded emerald lawn to a native-plant xeriscape. It is a major component of curb appeal.

Landscape architect

A professional who holds a degree in landscape architecture, which involves training in horticulture, landscape design and planning.

Landscape designer

A landscape designer has training in horticulture and landscape planning, but does not necessarily hold a degree.

Landscape contractor

A professional who carries out the plans of a landscape architect or a landscape designer.

Late charge

A fee a lender imposes on a borrower when the borrower does not make a payment on time.

Late payment

A payment a lender receives after the due date has passed.

Latent defect

An invisible problem in a piece of property such as bad wiring, termite damage or lead paint.

Lead

A metallic chemical element present in older dwellings, primarily in the form of lead-based paint and lead plumbing. Exposure to lead has been found to be a health risk.

Lease

A binding agreement that contains the terms and conditions of a renter's occupancy.

Leasehold estate

An arrangement in which the borrower does not own a specific piece of property but possesses a long-term lease.

Lease option

A lease that contains the right to purchase the property for a specific price within a certain time frame.

Lender

A bank, savings institution or mortgage company that offers home loans.

Legal blemish

Blemishes on a piece of property, such as a zoning violation or fraudulent title claim.

Legal description

A specific way of identifying and locating a piece of real estate that is acceptable to a court.

Letter of intent

A formal statement that the buyer intends to purchase the property for a certain price on a certain date.

Leverage

The use of a small amount of cash--a 5 percent or 10 percent down payment--to buy a piece of property.

Liabilities

A borrower's debts and financial obligations.

Liability insurance

A policy that protects owners against any claims of negligence, personal injury or property damage.

Lien

A claim laid by one person or company on the property of another as security for money owed.

Life cap

A limit on the amount that a loan rate can move during the term of the mortgage. For example, the rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage that begins at 5 percent and has a lifetime cap of 6 percentage points cannot rise above 11 percent, even if rates on fixed-rate mortgages soar to 20 percent.

Life-cycle cost analysis

An analysis of a building project's expected operating, maintenance and replacement costs, calculated by an architect.

Limited partnership

Real estate syndicates and other investment groups use this type of ownership.. A general partner makes the group's investment decisions, oversees the investment and is principally liable for any losses.

Lintel

A horizontal piece over a door or window that carries the weight of the structure above it.

Liquid assets

Cash and all other assets that can be converted to cash relatively quickly. Liquid assets can include money in savings and checking accounts, money-market accounts, and most certificates of deposit.

Log cabin

Homes constructed of rough-hewn timbers and a standard housing form in the early European settlement of the U.S.

Low-ball offer

An offer made to a seller that is substantially below market value. The longer a property stays on the market, the more likely there are to be such offers.

Low density

A low concentration of housing units in a specific area.

Low-documentation loan

A mortgage that requires only minimal verification of income and assets.

Low-down-payment loan

A home loan that requires the borrower to make only a small down payment before obtaining the financing needed to purchase a house.

Main water shut-off valve

The primary valve that halts the flow of water from the water meter into a home.

Mansard roof

A roof with four sides that slope upward from the roof edge to the square peak.

Manufactured housing

Prefabricated homes that can range from simple trailers to larger dwellings.

Mantel

The facing of stone, marble or other material around a fireplace.

Maintenance fee

The monthly assessment members of a homeowners' association pay for the repair and maintenance of common areas.

Managed-competition lots

Lots in which buyers choose between one of several builders.

Margin

The lender's "retail markup" on the mortgage. For example, if the index rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage is 5 percent but the lender has a 2.5 percentage-point margin, the rate the borrower will pay is 7.5 percent.

Market conditions

Factors affecting the sale and purchase of homes at a particular point in time.

Market value

The price that a piece of property sells for at a particular point in time.

Masonry

The brick or stone work on a building.

Master-planned community

A suburban plan that includes homes and commercial, work, educational and community facilities.

Maximum financing

A loan amount within 5 percent of the highest loan-to-value ratio allowed for a property.

Mechanical systems

A home's plumbing, wiring, heating and cooling systems.

Mechanic's lien

Subcontractors or suppliers sometimes will file an encumbrance, or mechanic's lien, against a property to seek payment.

Mediation

A dispute-resolution process in which a neutral party works to resolve contract differences.

Move-up buyer

A buyer who has purchased a home before and is looking for a bigger or more expensive home.

Mullion

A vertical dividing bar between window lights or panels.

Multidwelling property

A property that contains individual units for several households but carries only one mortgage.

Multifamily mortgage

A mortgage on a multifamily dwelling with more than four families, typically an apartment building.

Multiple listing service (MLS)

The service combines the listings for all available homes in an area, except For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) properties, in one directory or database.

Multiple offers

Multiple purchase offers occur in hot markets or hot neighborhoods.

Municipal housing inspector

Inspectors employed by cities or counties to check all construction sites and verify that contractors are meeting building codes.

Nail pops

Nails in load-bearing parts of new homes that pop out slightly because of settling of the structure.

Needs-based pricing

A seller's asking price that is based on factors such as the required funds to pay off the mortgage, the cost of remodeling or the purchase of another house.

Negative amortization

The situation occurs when a borrower's monthly payment is not large enough to cover both the principal and interest of a loan. As a result, the outstanding balance of the loan actually grows larger with each payment rather than smaller. Most fixed-rate loans are not subject to negative amortization, but many adjustable-rate mortgages are susceptible.

Negative-slope driveway

A driveway that drops from street level to the garage.

Neo-traditional planning

Planning of a community that favors the return of new-home development with such traditional features as grid-street patterns, prominent front porches, backyard garages, multi-use buildings and housing clustered near commercial service areas.

Net cash flow

Investment property that generates income after expenses such as principal, interest, taxes and insurance are subtracted.

Net worth

The worth of a person or company based on the difference between total assets and liabilities.

New Urbanism

A community design philosophy that favors the return of new-home development with such traditional features as prominent front porches, backyard garages, multi-use buildings and housing clustered near commercial service areas.

Niche

A small recessed area in a wall, traditionally arched at the top.

NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard)

The response sometimes given by neighborhoods and communities to proposed changes or development.

No cash-out refinance

The amount of the new mortgage covers the remaining balance of the first loan, closing costs, any liens and cash no more than 1 percent of the principal on the new loan.

No-competition lots

A lot in which the buyer's home will be constructed by a particular builder.

No-documentation loan

A loan application that does not require verification of income but typically is granted in cases of large down payments.

Non-assumption clause

A loan provision that prohibits the transfer of a mortgage to another borrower without lender approval.

Non-liquid asset

An asset such as a house that is not easily turned into cash.

Non-recurring closing costs

Costs that are one-time only fees for such items as an appraisal, loan points, credit report, title insurance and a home inspection.

Note

The legal document that requires a borrower to repay a mortgage at a certain interest rate over a specified period of time.

Note rate

The interest rate specified in a mortgage note.

Notice of default

A lender's initial action when a mortgage payment is late and attempts to reconcile the issue out of court have failed.

Online real estate listings

Properties listed for sale on the Internet.

Open house

A marketing tool in which a listing agent opens a house for view.

Open listing

A property given to a number of brokers to market at the same time.

Open space

Undeveloped land or common areas in a planned community reserved for parks, walking paths or other natural uses.

Option

A situation in which a buyer puts down money for the right to purchase a piece of real estate within a set time period but does not have an obligation to buy.

Oral agreement

Contractual arrangements that are not in writing and are usually not legally binding.

Original principal balance

The amount of principal owed on a loan before a borrower makes any payments.

Origination fee

A fee charged by most lenders--also called points--for processing a loan. A point is 1 percent of the total loan amount.

Overhang

A protruding structural feature.

Owner financing

A transaction in which the seller of a property agrees to finance all or part of the purchase.

Parcel

An officially described piece of land.

Partition

An interior wall.

Partnership

There are several partnership options for unmarried individuals to buy a piece of property, such as live-in partnerships (in which both buyers share the residence) or a shared-equity partnership (in which one buyer lives in the home and the other is an investor in the property).

Passive loss

A tax term that refers to any loss from a passive activity, such as the ownership but not the operation of a piece of rental real estate.

Passive solar system

A system that supplies solar heat without the use of electric fans or pumps.

Patent defect

A visible deficiency in a piece of property, such as a cracked basement slab or a sagging porch.

Payment cap

A legal limit on the amount a monthly payment can increase on an adjustable-rate mortgage.

Percolation test

A test used to determine the ability of soil to accommodate a septic system.

Per-diem interest

Interest charged or accrued daily.

Panel

A section or division of a wall, ceiling or a flat piece of building material that forms the part of the surface of a wall, door or cabinet.

Paneling

Strips of wood or wood material applied as a finish to a wall.

Parking strip

The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street in front of a house.

Partition

Any kind of structure dividing one room or space from another.

Patio

An interior courtyard or a paved backyard area.

Perennial

Any plant that produces leaves, flowers and seeds from year to year, such as irises or peonies.

Pergola

An arbor with an open roof of rafters supported by posts or columns.

Personal property

Any moveable property in a house such as furniture or appliances.

Pest-control inspection

A common pest-control inspection is a termite inspection, which is required in some states, such as California.

Pier

A rectangular masonry support column.

PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance)

When a buyer applies for a loan, the lender will calculate the principal, interest, taxes and insurance. The figure is designed to represent the borrower's actual monthly mortgage-related expenses.

Planned communities

The concept began in the 19th century and describes any town or neighborhood built with certain guidelines and goals.

Planned-unit development

Residents own the home and the land, and share the use and financial responsibility for common areas.

Plaster

A labor-intensive and more costly wall finish.

Pocket door

A sliding door that retreats into the wall when opened.

Point

Fees charged by lenders at the time a loan is originated. A point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount.

Purchase-money mortgage

A mortgage that a borrower obtains to acquire a property.

Qualifying ratios

Lenders compute qualifying ratios to determine how much a potential buyer can borrow.

Queen Anne style

A Victorian-era style that originated in San Francisco.

Quit-claim deed

A document that releases a party from any interest in a piece of real estate.

R-value

A construction term that refers to the resistance of to heat loss. The higher the R-value, the slower the rate of heat loss.

Radon

A ground-generated radioactive gas that seeps into some homes through sump pumps, cracks in the foundation and other inlets. A leading cause of lung cancer , radon is found in mostly the northern half of the country.

Rafter

Rafters form the slope of a pitched roof and are analogous to floor joists.

Rammed-earth construction

An alternative building process in which dirt is compacted into large structural frames to create walls.

Ranch style

Modern ranch-style homes, popularized in the 1950s, were championed by such architectural giants as Frank Lloyd Wright.

Rate-improvement mortgage

A loan with a clause that entitles a borrower to a one-time cut in the interest rate without going through refinancing.

Rate lock

When interest rates are volatile, many borrowers want to "lock in" an interest rate and many lenders will oblige, setting a limit on the amount of time the guaranteed interest rate is in effect.

Real estate

Land and anything permanently affixed to it, including buildings, fences and other items attached to the structure.

Real estate agent

A real estate agent has a state license to represent a buyer or a seller in a real estate transaction in exchange for a commission. Most agents work for real estate brokers.

Real estate attorney

A lawyers who specializes in real estate transactions.

Real estate broker

A real estate agent who is licensed by the state to represent a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction in exchange for a commission. Most brokers also have agents working for them, and are entitled to a portion of their commissions.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs)

The trusts are publicly traded companies that own, develop and operate commercial properties.

Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

A federal law designed to make sellers and buyers aware of settlement fees and other transaction-related costs. RESPA also outlaws kickbacks in the real estate business.

Real property

Land and any permanent fixtures on it, including buildings, trees and minerals.

Realtist

A designation for an agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Realtor

A designation for an agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Recission

The cancellation of a contract by law or consent by the parties involved.

Reconveyance

When a borrower completely pays off the mortgage, the property is reconveyed to them from the lender.

Recorder

A public official responsible for keeping the records of all real estate transactions.

Recording

The filing of a specific document to the appropriate government entity.

Ridge vent

A vent located along the ridge board of the roof that allows moisture to escape.

Right of first refusal

An agreement by a property owner to give another person the right to buy or rent the property before it goes on the open market.

Right to recission

A provision in the federal Truth-in-Lending Act that allows borrowers to cancel certain kinds of loans within three days of signing.

Rough-in

The installation of plumbing, electrical and other mechanical systems.

Rural Housing Service

A U.S. Department of Agriculture program that provides financing to farmers and certain borrowers to purchase rural property when other funds are not available.

Sale-leaseback

A transaction in which the buyer leases back the property to the seller for a specified period of time.

Sales contract

A contract signed by the buyer and sellerthat details the terms of a home purchase.

Saltbox style

A design that dates to colonial times and takes its name from the shape of saltboxes.

Sanitary sewer

The drain line in a house that carries away food and human wastewater to a municipal sewer system or a septic system.

Sash

One of two windows in a double-hung window.

Schematic designs

Renderings of floor plans and the exterior of a house.

Second mortgage

Another loan placed upon a piece of property.

Secondary mortgage market

A market of packaged home loans that are resold as securities to investors. Major players are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Secured loan

Any loan backed by collateral.

Security

Apiece of property designated as collateral.

Seller broker

A seller broker represents the interest of the seller.

Seller carry-back

An agreement in which the seller provides financing for a home purchase.

Seller take-back

An agreement in which the seller provides financing for a home purchase.

Seller's market

A hot real estate market in which sellers have the advantage and multiple offers are common.

Semi-custom home

The buyer of a semi-custom home is free to make some design changes but not to the home's structural plan.

Septic system

A self-contained sewage treatment system that distributes wastewater to an underground storage area and relies on bacterial action to decompose solid waste matter.

Setback

Settlement statement

Shared-appreciation mortgage

A loan that allows a lender or other party to share in the borrower's profits when the home is sold.

Shared-equity transaction

A transaction in which two buyers purchase a property, one as a resident co-owner and the other as an investor co-owner.

Shed ceiling

A shed ceiling pitches upward at one end.

Shed roof

A shed roof pitches up longer on one side than the other.

Shingle style

An alternative style of Victorian homes that evolved in the late 19th century to simplify the complexity of the traditional Victorian house.

Shingles

Thin, wedge-shaped pieces of wood or flat rectangular pieces of slate, mineral fiber, glass fiber or composition asphalt installed on a roof to prevent water seepage.

Shoe molding

An unobtrusive finish trim between the floor and the baseboard designed to hide any irregularities in the seam between the floor and wall or baseboard.

Subordinate loan

A second or third mortgage.

Sump pump

A pump that moves water from a basement sump pit.

Survey

A precise measurement of a piece of property by a licensed surveyor.

Sweat equity

The non-cash value put into a piece of property by the owner, such as do-it-yourself home improvements.

Tap fees

Most companies charge a tap fee for hooking up utilities.

Tax deduction

A tax break given by the government. Mortgage interest, loan points and property taxes can be deducted.

Tax lien

An impediment placed against a property, such as back taxes.

Tax sale

The public sale of a property by the government for nonpayment of taxes.

Tax shelter

A term often applied to real estate investment and refers to various tax advantages.

Tear-down condition

A house that requires the entire interior to be rebuilt.

Teaser rate

An low, short-term rate offered on a mortgage to entice the borrower.

Tenancy by the entirety

When a married couple owns a home, it is usually considered tenancy by the entirety If the property must be sold to pay the debts of one spouse, both must agree.

Tenants in common

Two or more owners who share interest in a specific property.

Terrace

A terrace can be several things: an unroofed paved area right next to a house; a roofed balcony; a veranda; or a raised bed of earth constructed to enhance a landscape.

The 72-hour clause

When a buyer has a house to sell before they can purchase another home, most sellers insist on a 72-hour clause. In the event of a better offer coming in before the contingency is settled, this clause entitles the seller to give the buyer 72 hours to remove the contingency or lose the house.

Third-party origination

In a third-party origination transaction, the lender has another institution originate all or part of a mortgage.

Timeshare

Ownership that involves the acquisition of a specific period of time, or that percentage of interest, in a vacation home or resort.

Truth-in-Lending Act

A federal law that protects consumers in a variety of ways. One of its key provisions allows a consumer to cancel a home-improvement loan, second mortgage or other loan if the home was pledged as security (except for a first mortgage or first trust deed) until midnight of the third business day after the contract was signed.

Tuck-point

The process of removing old mortar from between bricks and replacing it with new mortar.

Two-step mortgage

An adjustable mortgage with two interest rates, one for the first five or seven years of the loan, and the other for the remainder of the loan term.

Two- to four-family property

A piece of property that is owned by one person but provides housing for up to four households.

Underlayment

A layer of wood between the subfloor and the floor.

Underwriting

The process that lenders go through to evaluate the risks posed by a particular borrower and to set appropriate conditions for the loan.

Undisclosed heir

A person who claims the right to a piece of property after the death of an owner without a will.

Undisclosed spouse

An unidentified marital partner who can claim the right to a piece of property.

Unrecorded deed

An unrecorded deed transfers ownership from one party to another without being officially recorded.

U.S. Department. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

A federal agency that oversees the Federal Housing Administration and a variety of housing and community development programs.

Unsecured loan

Any loan that is not backed by collateral.

Upgrades

Options than the standard carpeting, lighting, finish carpentry and other amenities offered to all buyers in a new-home project.

Upzoning

The process in which a property is zoned from a lower to a higher use.

Urban sprawl

The unplanned expansion of development over a large area.

Usury

A reference to illegally excessive interest charged on any loan.

Variable interest rate

A loan rate that moves up and down based on factors including changes in the rate paid on bank certificates of deposit or Treasury bills.

Variable rate mortgage

A loan with an interest rate that hinges on factors such as the rate paid on bank certificates and Treasury bills.

Variable rate

An interest rate that changes with fluctuations in such indexes as the U.S. Treasury bill index.

Vaulted ceiling

An elongated half-cylinder that arches above the floor.

Verification of deposit

Part of the loan process, in which a lender will ask a borrower's bank to sign a statement verifying the borrower's account balances and history.

Verification of employment

Part of the loan process, in which a lender asks the borrower's employer for confirmation of the borrower's position and salary.

Vestibule

A small entrance hall or room.

Veterans Administration (VA)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates a variety of programs to help veterans. One of the key plans it oversees is the VA loan program, which allows most veterans to purchase a house without a down payment.

Victorian style

An architectural style that dates from the mid-19th century.

Vinyl-clad windows

Wood windows sheathed in vinyl on the outside.

Voluntary lien

A lien that a homeowner willingly gives to a lender.

VA loans

A program that allows most veterans to purchase a house without a down payment.

Wainscoting

Wood paneling, tongue-and-groove boards or similar material installed between a baseboard and a chair rail.

Waiver

A voluntary relinquishing of certain rights or claims.

Walk-out basement

A feature that allows a door to open onto ground level.

Walk-through

A buyer's final inspection of the home to determine if conditions in the purchase agreement have been satisfied.

Warranty

A legally binding promise to do something in the future.

Wetlands

Watery areas such as swamps, marshes and floodplains.

Wild deed

An improperly recorded deed.

Will

The most basic legal document outlining the disposition of a person's estate in the event of death.

Window light

An individual pane of glass.

Window seat

A bench built under an interior window.

Window well

A curved, corrugated steel insert used to isolate basement windows from moisture if they're below the soil line.

Window well covers

Curved plastic covers designed to be installed on top of a window well to cover the opening.

Wraparound mortgage

A loan to a buyer for the remaining balance on a seller's first mortgage and an additional amount requested by the seller. Payments on both loans are made to the lender who holds the wraparound loan.